Remembering Mets History: (1994) A Big Week For Rico Brogna
Monday July 25th 1994: Dallas Green's fourth place Mets (45-52) went to St. Louis to take on Joe Torre's fourth place Cardinals (46-51). The Mets Bret Saberhagen had one of his best nights as a Mets pitcher, pitching a one run, seven hitter striking out five Cardinals. The Mets offense came through with seven runs, led by Rico Brogna's big five hit night.
Brogna got a late start to the 1994 season, as injuries kept him out until mid June.
In this game, Brogna would start out with base hits in the 2nd inning & 4th innings.
In the Mets five run 5th inning, Todd Hundley walked to lead off. Jeromy Burnitz then hit a one out single. Jeff Kent also singled bringing in the Mets first run. Brogna then doubled bringing home two runs. Rico scored on David Segui's single & Ryan Thompson followed with a ground rule double.
In the Mets five run 5th inning, Todd Hundley walked to lead off. Jeromy Burnitz then hit a one out single. Jeff Kent also singled bringing in the Mets first run. Brogna then doubled bringing home two runs. Rico scored on David Segui's single & Ryan Thompson followed with a ground rule double.
In the 6th, after Jeff Kent had an RBI single, Brogna singled as well, for his fourth hit of the night. Jeromy Burnitz tried to score but was thrown out at home. Brogna finished up his night with his second double in the 9th inning. The Mets won the game 7-1.
Tuesday July 26th 1994: This game turned out to be a wild 10-9 Mets win in a game where the Mets used 19 players, including eight different pitchers. The Cardinals took an early 1-0 lead but Ryan Thompson's two run HR put the Mets back on top.
In the Mets 3rd, Fernando Vina was hit by a pitch & singles by Todd Hundley, Bobby Bonilla & Jeromy Burnitz gave the Mets a 4-1 lead. In the 5th Todd Hundley homered & Jeff Kent hit an RBI double giving the Mets a 6-2 lead.
The Cards came back when Todd Zeile, hit a three run HR off Juan Castillo making it a 6-5 game.
In the Mets 3rd, Fernando Vina was hit by a pitch & singles by Todd Hundley, Bobby Bonilla & Jeromy Burnitz gave the Mets a 4-1 lead. In the 5th Todd Hundley homered & Jeff Kent hit an RBI double giving the Mets a 6-2 lead.
The Cards came back when Todd Zeile, hit a three run HR off Juan Castillo making it a 6-5 game.
In the 7th, Vina doubled & Bonilla walked. Burnitz singled but Vina was thrown out at home plate by Mark Whiten. Jeff Kent was walked intentionally to get to Rico Brogna.
The hot hitting Brogna came through with a single in the hole between third & short bringing in Bonilla & Burnitz giving the Mets an 8-5 lead.
In the 7th, with two on, former Met Greg Jeffries singled to centerfield off Mike Remlinger making it 8-6.
In the bottom of the 8th, Mets pitcher Josias Manzanillo gave up a triple to Geronimo Pena. He was relieved by Mauro Gozzo who allowed a sac fly to Tom Pagnozzi & a solo HR to Luis Alicea tied up the game at eight.
The game went into extra innings, the Mets pitcher Mike Maddux shut down the Cards in the 10th inning & Gary Buckels came on to pitch for St. Louis.
The game went into extra innings, the Mets pitcher Mike Maddux shut down the Cards in the 10th inning & Gary Buckels came on to pitch for St. Louis.
With one out, Jeff Kent hit a ground rule double over the centerfield wall. Rico Brogna came up & hit a two run HR giving the Mets the lead 10-8. It was his sixth HR of the year. It turned out to be the winning run.
In the bottom of the 10th, John Franco gave up a run but struck out Tom Pagnozzi to end the game, giving New York a 10-9 exciting win.
August 3rd, 1994: At Shea Stadium, Rico Brogna would help the Mets in another exciting win. The Mets now in third place (52-54) hosted the second place Atlanta Braves.
In the 3rd, Braves pitcher, Steve Avery allowed singles to the pitcher Bobby Jones & Tim Bogar. After Avery balked, Kelly Stinnett ground out scoring Jones.
In the 5th, the Braves Mark Lemke singled, Steve Avery attempted a sacrifice but Mets catcher Kelly Stinnett threw the ball away & Lemke scored. In the 6th Bobby Jones allowed a HR to Fred McGriff giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead.
In the 5th, the Braves Mark Lemke singled, Steve Avery attempted a sacrifice but Mets catcher Kelly Stinnett threw the ball away & Lemke scored. In the 6th Bobby Jones allowed a HR to Fred McGriff giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead.
In the 9th inning, Greg McMichael came on to close it out.
But the Mets came back, as Jeff Kent walked & David Segui singled to right field. Brogna tied up the game with a single up the middle, his 19th RBI of the year.
Jose Vizcaino won it with a walk off base hit off Mark Wohlers.
The Mets went on one of their best streaks of the year at this point winning eight of ten games. The baseball strike would end the season in July, with the Mets finishing third just under .500 at 55-58. No post season was played that year.
The Mets went on one of their best streaks of the year at this point winning eight of ten games. The baseball strike would end the season in July, with the Mets finishing third just under .500 at 55-58. No post season was played that year.
In just 39 games that year, Rico Brogna batted .351 with 7 HRs 11 doubles 20 RBIs & a .380 on base %.
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